Constitution - Test Flashcards
Nation’s Fundamental law
- “supreme law of the land”
the Constitution
3 parts of the constitution
1) Introduction - The Preamble
2) 7 Articles
3) 27 Formal Amendments
each of the 7 articles contents
1) Creates the Legislative branch
2) Creates the Executive branch
3) Creates the Judicial branch
4) Relationship among state and federal gov.
5) Amending the Constitution
6) Supremacy Clause
7) Ratifying the Constitution
6 basic principles of the constitution
1) Popular Sovereignty - people are the source of power
2) Limited Gov. - government is not all powerful
3) Separation of Powers
how long has the US Constitution been in effect
235 years!
change in the written wording of the Constitution - permanent
Formal Amendment
majority of the national and state gov. needed to ratify a change to the constitution
national (proposed) - 2/3 majority
state (ratified) - 3/4 majority
immunity of states to certain law suits
11th Amendment
12th Amdendment
changes in how the president/vice pres. is chosen
Abolished Slavery
13th Amendment
14th Amendment
states every person born in the US is a US Citizen with equal protection under the law (to incorporate former slaves)
no denial of the right to vote - gave rights to vote to the African Americans
15th Amendment
the Civil War Amendments
13th, 14th, and 15th
16th Amendment
federal income tax (started to pay for the civil war)
popular election of senators (voted in by the people)
17th Amendment
18th Amendment
prohibition of alcohol - “noble experiment”
women’s suffrage - right to vote
19th Amendment
20th Amendment
date changes in congressional + presidential terms (from March to January) - elected in Nov. and sworn in in January
repeal of prohibition of alcohol (18th amendment)
21st Amendment
22nd Amendment
presidential term limit (2)
D.C gets vote in electoral college - they previously couldn’t vote for president
23rd Amendment
24th Amendment
Ban on poll taxes
set up presidential succession and disability (not fit)
25th Amendment
26th Amendment
18 year olds get voting rights (was 21)
congressional pay changes
prevents congressmen from setting their pay too high
- one of the original Bill of Rights proposed by Madison in 1789!
27th Amendment
day to day changes made over time (not written in Constitution) - mostly temporary
Informal Amendments
“flesh and bones” of the Constitution
Informal Amendment
called the “soul of the Constitution”
Bill of Rights
five basic ways to bring about Informal Amendments
1) Basic Legislation: laws passed by Congress
2) Executive Action: powers granted the president (executive’s agreement)
3) Courts Decisions: the nation’s courts determine the constitutionality of cases
4) Party Practice: ideas brought forth by the political parties
5) Custom: unwritten traditions (ex: Presidential Cabinet)
